The Gaffney T-bridge, a historic 1919 structure, had not undergone major repairs since its widening in 1970.
Following an inspection revealing major structural deficiencies, KCI was enlisted to evaluate the bridge’s condition and develop a repair plan to address the identified issues. One of only two remaining bridges of its kind in the world, the T-bridge presented significant challenges due to its unique design and site constraints. The confined railroad corridor and elevated road approaches prevented the use of cranes and large construction equipment.
To overcome these challenges, KCI designed a method to replace one of the bridge’s beams using hydraulic excavators. Additionally, our team engineered custom temporary falsework to support the replacement of the concrete deck, working within the existing framework of the 1919 and 1970 bridge components. With a tight timeline set by SCDOT and the City of Gaffney requiring completion within six months, KCI’s innovative solutions restored the bridge’s structural capacity, preserved its iconic T-shape design, and ensured the bridge would continue serving its critical role while maintaining its historical significance.
